Children's Program - remembering Taihaku

For this month's Children's Program, we honored and remembered our beloved teacher, Taihaku. We first shared some of our nature experiences of this verdant late spring, many of which aptly revolved around the growth of our gardens. We then read and acted out the beautiful book Always Remember, written by Cece Meng and illustrated by Jago. The story tells of Old Turtle, who has taken her last swim, and of the ocean animals who each remembered how she has touched their lives. 

The final page of the book reads:

"[S]he was a wonderful teacher and friend.

[S]he loved to laugh and have fun.

[S]he explored the unknown and discovered great things.

[S]he showed kindness and strength.

And [s]he made the world a better place.

When Old Turtle died, the ocean took [her] back.

But what [s]he left behind was only the beginning."

 

For closing we rang the bell three times, feeling Taihaku's reverberation in our own hearts and minds, honoring how she has touched each of us, and recognizing how her love and wisdom continue to spread throughout the world.

Memorial Service for Rev. Taihaku Nishiren Priest

On Sunday, May 30, a memorial service for Rev. Taihaku Nishiren Priest, Founding Abbot, was held at Shao Shan Temple.  Her family, members of the temple Sangha, many friends, and the ravens nesting on the property attended the outdoor ceremony, which was the first public, in-person ceremony held at the temple since the pandemic began. 

Rev. Ejo McMullen, Abbot of the Buddha Eye Zen Community Temple in Eugene, Oregon and Rev. Kenzan Seidenberg, Shao Shan Temple’s Vice-Abbot, led the services.  Rev. Ejo is the Shao Shan Temple Soto Zen Council Representative.  As Council Representative he came to the Temple to assist and support Rev. Kenzan and the Sangha after Rev. Taihaku’s unexpected death on May 24.  We are deeply grateful to Rev. Ejo for his assistance at this difficult time.

The ceremony included chants venerating the Buddha and the founding Abbot of Shao Shan.  Eben Broadbent, Rev. Taihaku’s son, delivered a touching and comforting eulogy.  Members of the family, Sangha, and the community were invited to share their memories of Rev. Taihaku and her teachings, offer incense, and participate in a procession around the temple accompanied by bells, cymbals, the trumpeting of a conch, and the beat of drums.  Rev. Kenzan offered words of remembrance and encouragement to close the ceremony.

Following the ceremony refreshments were provided by the family and all joined in fellowship to remember Taihaku’s life among us.

Thank you to Rev. Taihaku’s family and all of the volunteers who worked to prepare for the memorial.

A formal Buddhist Funeral which may include abbots and monks from North America and Japan will be held in the fall.

Taihaku Nichiren Daiosho

Quartz crowned mountain

Receiving heaven

Deep through

No outside light

To be found.

Tranquil circle

Never rests

Her thick white heart

Singing and dancing

With cow today

700 years

With dog tomorrow

In the pupil of Gautama’s Eye

This is how it feels

Birthing the Sun

    - Rev. Ejo McMullen 5/30/21

 

 

Our beloved abbot: Rev. Taihaku Nishiren Priest

 Dear Sangha and Friends,

It is with great sadness that I report that our dearly beloved teacher and abbot, Rev. Taihaku, passed away early in the morning, May 24th, unexpectedly in the night of a heart attack. 

She often said that death is like “jumping into a ginger ale pool” – her joyful effervescence extending even beyond this life.  

Final arrangements are being determined in conjunction with her family and the Soto Zen Order. 

May we together support her vision for Shao Shan Temple to be a flowering of the Dharma for the next 700 years.

With immense gratitude for her life, teachings, and founding of Shao Shan Temple,

In the Dharma,

Kenzan

Buddha's Birthday Celebration - May 16, 2021

 Sunday, May 16th, Shao Shan Temple celebrated Buddha's Birthday with an online celebration! 

The beginning of the celebration was heralded by a resounding conch...

Noah read a book of the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha (Buddha by Susan Roth) ...

There was a formal offering of tea, cakes and sweet water, after which, Julie offered incense, Max tea, and Donna sweets.  Each offered with a dedication which all participants were invited to join in ...

Sweet tea was offered over the baby Buddha with chanting...

Glenda offered a poem written for the occasion of Buddha's Birthday...

And a closing celebratory "Happy Birthday!"

Introduction and Question/Response programs

 This weekend there were several special programs at Shao Shan Temple.  

On Saturday, May 1st, we had the Introduction program, welcoming several new people to Temple programs.  The Introduction program is a 1 hour program, offered every 6-8 weeks, introducing the Temple, outlining current programs with a chance to ask questions.

Sunday was our first "Question-Response Program".  This program gave the opportunity for participants to ask questions about practice, about the Zen tradition, about the Temple or about applying teachings to a particular life situation.